Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Politics in New Mexico

Congressman Steve Pearce in the southern district is having a cow again because of the possible listing of a lizard on the endangered species list. He says it will interfere with oil and gas jobs and raise energy prices. He fails to mention to every one that there are tens of thousands of acresthat are leased by his oil and gas buddies that have not been drilled. Why not just go to develop those already approved leases? Because Pearce and his oil pals are just plain greedy and want everything their own way. Oh, and they love those taxpayer subsidies they are getting which are now on the chopping block at the Obama White House.

State Auditor Hector Balderas is officially running for the US Senate. He will face off against Congressman Martin Heinrich. Balderas says he wants to take small town values to Washington. I think the problem is that they already have those small town values. They are constantly bickering. They don't like each other. They tell lies. I know how some small towns operate and it isn't pretty. At least in the cities there is plenty of room for finding a niche and friends that share your interests. Also, small towns are getting smaller every day. It is sad, but there is little reason to economically develop these areas where there is little workforce availability.

A case in point for how smaller towns aren't always inclusive can be seen in the school district approach in Clovis to gay students. Rather than let them have a gay/straight club on the campuses they are forcing all non academic clubs from meeting during school hours.

2 comments:

You're right about small towns, although I never thought of it that way. We tend to romanticize small towns and small town life, and they do look nice when you drive through them, but there can be a vicious little social order, too. If you don't conform, or get on the wrong side of it, they work like a pack. The town in Michigan I grew up in was 2,500. You've heard of Peyton Place. I'd say this was more like Pathological Place.

I disagree with your assessment of "small town values" and small town dynamics. Hector is referring to CERTAIN small town values. In fact, in his announcement videos he specifically says: accountability, fiscal responsibility, hard work, playing by the rules, among others.

I would be very cautious in suggesting that small towns are so negative. NM politicians need small towns to win statewide races, which Hector has done twice. His message & his story will resonate with them, & with us "urban" NM people as well.

An important point, however, is being overlooked. Hector has a unique story for politicians, but a common story for everyday folk across NM. A local NM from a small town who was afforded such educational opportunities who now has the goal of 'paying it forward' is EXACTLY what NM, Washington, & the country need!

About Me

Jim Baca has a strong record of visionary service to New Mexico. He retired as the State of New Mexico's Natural Resource Trustee 1n 2010. He has served as Mayor of the City of Albuquerque, as well as two prior terms as New Mexico’s elected State Land Commissioner. He served as the Director of the National Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior in the first Clinton Administration. Jim Baca also serves on the Boards of numerous non profit organizations including The Wilderness Society and the Wyss Foundation and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Baca has run a successful public affairs consulting practice when not serving in public office. He spends his retirement playing golf, attending board meetings, and generally doing what ever he wants to do.